Historic Butcher's Row thrives as shoppers seek local fare

MORE independent traders than ever are setting up in one of Barnstaple's historic streets.

There will soon be 13 shops open on Butcher's Row — which is thought to be the most in the street's history.

TOP TRADERS: Butcher's Row traders, Angie Sinclair (Maxwell's); Mark Osmond (Passmore's); Carol Hanson (West Country Cheese ); Andrew Gratton (Gratton's); Dawn Hall (2 Gorgeous); Paul Bishop (Ballantyne's) ; Zen Butler (Wild and Natural Meats); Graham and Claire Principe (East & West Bakery); unavailable for a picture were S&P Fish. Picture: Mike Southon 1003-33_01

Two extra units will be created by the conversion of two former traders' lavatories.

Peter Woodley, assets manager for North Devon Council, which owns the row of shops, said: "It's great to see a traditional series of shops let out exclusively to small local retailers.

"People are obviously still interested in fresh, local food and I think they always will be."

Butchers' Row was originally designed solely for the sale of slaughtered meat. It was built in 1855 and designed by RD Gould.

North Devon Council took over the street in 1974 and still operates a policy which encourages food sellers on the row to stay true to its history.

Today the street hosts two butchers, two fish shops, a bakery, grocer's, cheese shop, cafe, delicatessen, sandwich shop, florist's and a cafe. There are also plans for a traditional sweet shop.

The oldest shop on the row is Gratton's Butchers which was established in 1954 by Douglas Gratton. The newest is Fair Game which moved onto the row in August 2009.